Saturday, September 5, 2026
By Mark Jurkowitz | Outer Banks Voice on August 24, 2026
On the morning of Monday, Aug. 24, State Senator Bobby Hanig announced he has retired from that post. The decision comes a few months in advance of his term expiring on Jan. 1, 2027.
In his statement, Hanig thanked his constituents for “allowing me the honor and privilege to serve northeast North Carolina and this great state. Together, WE have accomplished many great things over the last 10 years, and I will forever cherish the opportunity.”
“I can assure you that, even though I am stepping down from my official capacity, I will continue fighting for eastern North Carolina values, belief and our heritage,” he added.
Hanig currently represents NC Senate District 1, which includes Dare, Currituck, Tyrrell, Bertie, Camden, Gates, Hertford, Northampton, Pasquotank and Perquimans Counties. Earlier this year, he ran for the Republican nomination for the 1st District seat in the U.S. Congress, losing to Laurie Buckhout in a five-person primary contest.
The race to succeed him in the NC Senate pits Republican Jerry Tillett against Democrat Melissa Zehner on the November ballot.
A former Chairman of the Currituck County Commissioners, Hanig successfully challenged incumbent Beverly Boswell, a former Dare County Commissioner, in the 2018 Republican primary for the Sixth District seat in the NC House of Representatives. He went on to defeat Democrat Tess Judge in the general election.
After winning re-election to that NC House seat in 2020, he then won a 2022 contest for the NC Senate against Democrat Valerie Jordan and was re-elected in a 2024 race against Democrat Susan Harman-Scott.
During his tenure in Raleigh, Hanig was known as a strong advocate for his district’s fishing industry and was a vocal opponent of the “Shrimpgate” legislation that would have banned shrimp trawling in the state’s inland waters and within a half mile of the Atlantic shoreline. The measure was ultimately killed by the NC House in 2025.
Most recently, Hanig has voiced strong criticism of the provision in the new state budget that would impose tolls on all North Carolina ferry routes, accusing the measure’s supporters of “just throwing numbers out there and putting them against the wall,” he said.
Comments
OBX Resident
This resignation is part of the GOP political playbook. In 2022, Steinburg resigned from his Senate seat and Hanig, who was already the Republican nominee for another newly configured northeastern North Carolina Senate district, was selected by the GOP to complete Steinburg’s term. Now, it is Hanig’s turn. Jerry Tillett is running for Hanig’s seat, and the GOP will appoint Tillett to finish out the term, thus giving Tillett a boost for the November election. I am sure there is already a press release announcing such that will be released once the GOP ‘officially’ meets. Jordan Hennessy (involved in FBI investigation and who the County and State have given $50,000,000) has been one of Tillett’s biggest financial backers, and is probably responsible for pulling the strings on this ‘retirement’ in order to solidify political favor to keep taxpayer money flowing to his (Jordan’s) coffers.
Not surprised
Was there any reason provided why Mr. Haning resigned now instead of serving out his term?
Mark Jurkowitz | Outer Banks Voice
No reason was provided
Mark Jurkowitz | Outer Banks Voice
No reason was provided.
trocar
Job well done Bobby!
Kathryn
He was in lock step with the state GOP and totally trashed Tess Judge when he ran against her. It was not necessary. She is wonderful and he admitted as much to me. One’s political opinions may differ and that is not reason to trash a good person.
Banker
When I vote for (or hire) someone, I expect them to finish the job. Hanig’s refusal to explain his departure is a huge disappointment and a slap in the face to his constituents. If there’s an obstacle to his completion, he should feel obligated to share it. If it’s political trickery for Tillett’s sake, shame on him. Don’t get me started on Hennessy- he’s a disaster for this state. Everything he touches reeks of personal gain.
Concerned in Dare
So now we have no representative in Raleigh until after the election? All in the name of political machinations. Thanks for nothing.
Kooflocks
No libertaroan candidate? I’m sitting out this one.
WBN
Hate to see Bobby step down. While he was in office, I always felt we had someone truly representing us. He made himself available to us and our concerns. Thanks for your time.
Justbecuz
Because Hanig spoke out against the status quo in Raleigh where Piedmont legislators redistrict and reduce the influence of the coast, he was punished by having his district changed. Pretty sorry treatment
Sandflea
Bye Bob. 25% – 30% of the population might miss you.
@ Concerned in Dare: With representation like his, we’re better off without representation.
Virginia
Appoint Tess Judge to finish the rest of his term